News and Media Resources:
Immunization Works! August 2009 issue
On This Page:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Immunization Works Monthly Immunization Update is provided to professional organization partners for broad distribution to their members and constituencies. The information provided is non-proprietary.
Front Page News
Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Vaccine Recommendations: On August 21, CDC published new recommendations from CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) regarding the use of vaccine against infection with novel influenza A (H1N1) virus (see Use of Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, 2009).
Information on vaccination for seasonal influenza has been published previously in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (see Prevention and Control of Seasonal Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, 2009). Vaccines against novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection have not yet been licensed; however, licensed vaccine is expected to be available by mid-October 2009.
On July 29, 2009, ACIP reviewed epidemiologic and clinical data to determine which population groups should be targeted initially for vaccination. ACIP also considered the projected vaccine supply likely to be available when vaccine is first available and the expected increase in vaccine availability during the following 6 months. These recommendations are intended to provide vaccination programs and providers with information to assist in planning and to alert providers and the public about target groups comprising an estimated 159 million persons who are recommended to be first to receive influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine.
The guiding principle of these recommendations is to vaccinate as many persons as possible as quickly as possible. Vaccination efforts should begin as soon as vaccine is available. State and local health officials and vaccination providers should make decisions about vaccine administration and distribution in accordance with state and local conditions. Highlights of these recommendations include
- the identification of five initial target groups for vaccination efforts (pregnant women, persons who live with or provide care for infants less than 6 months-old, health-care and emergency medical services personnel, children and young adults ages 6 months-24 years, and persons ages 25-64 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications),
- establishment of priority for a subset of persons within the initial target groups in the event that initial vaccine availability is unable to meet demand, and
- guidance on use of vaccine in other adult population groups as vaccine availability increases.
Please see CDC's H1N1 influenza website for the most recent information and resources. Also, please watch for a special edition of Immunization Works devoted exclusively to novel influenza A (H1N1), coming soon.
More News & Summaries
Updated Recommendations for Routine Poliovirus Vaccination: On August 7, the updated recommendation for routine poliovirus vaccination from Advisory Committee on Immunization and Practices (ACIP) were published in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. These updates
- emphasize the importance of the booster dose at age 4 years and older,
- extend the minimum interval from dose 3 to dose 4 from 4 weeks to 6 months,
- add a precaution for the use of minimum intervals in the first 6 months of life, and
- clarify the poliovirus vaccination schedule when specific combination vaccines are used.
For more information, please see the full article in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Updated Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Regarding Routine Poliovirus Vaccination.
Meetings, Conferences & Resources
New VFC Flyers for Parents, Providers: CDC has published two new flyers to educate healthcare providers and parents about the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program. They are Vaccines for Children: Information for Healthcare Providers from CDC (pdf) and Vaccines for Children: Information for Parents from CDC (pdf). Both flyers can be easily downloaded and printed in color or black and white.
The Yellow Book, now online: CDC Health Information for International Travel 2010 (widely known as the Yellow Book) is now available online. This book is intended as a reference for both health professionals and travelers, and includes updated vaccine requirements and recommendations. To view the online version of the Yellow Book, or to order your own copy, visit the CDC Travelers’ Health website at CDC Travelers’ Health website.
CDC’s Pre-teen Vaccine Campaign: It’s back to school season! Please remind parents to schedule a medical check-up for their 11 and 12 year olds and get them vaccinated against serious diseases such as pertussis, meningitis, influenza, and, for girls, cervical cancer. CDC’s Pre-teen Vaccine Campaign has updated existing education materials in English and Spanish for parents on the importance of a yearly check-up and recommended vaccines, as well as developed new education materials for Native American parents. All materials are available for download or ordering at NO COST. Educational materials for Asian American parents in Vietnamese and Korean will be ready for downloading and ordering in the coming weeks. Please visit the Pre-teen Vaccine Campaign website for more information.
Updated VIS for Seasonal Influenza: The updated Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) for the seasonal influenza vaccine are now available. Please see the VIS for Live, Intranasal Influenza Vaccine (pdf) and the VIS for Inactivated Influenza Vaccine (pdf).
Immunization Update 2009: Slide sets are now available from the July 30, 2009 Live Satellite Broadcast and Webcast, Immunization Update. This 2.5-hour program focuses on the most recent developments in the rapidly changing field of immunization, including new vaccine recommendations. For more information, visit CDC’s Immunization Education and Training Webcasts website.
2010 National Coalition Conference:Please mark your calendars for the 9th National Conference on Immunization and Health Coalitions “Strengthening Our Connections.” The conference will take place May 26–28 in Chicago, Illinois. More information will be available in future issues of this publication.
National Infant Immunization Week: An early reminder: National Infant Immunization Week will be held April 24–May 1, 2010.
CDC Training Opportunities: Through established programs, CDC offers many unique training opportunities in infectious diseases, including international opportunities. For a current listing of CDC training opportunities, please visit CDC’s Public Health Training web page.
CDC Job Openings: CDC is committed to recruiting and hiring qualified candidates for a wide range of immunization positions. Researchers, Medical Officers and Epidemiologists and other specialties are often needed to fill positions within CDC. For a current listing, including international opportunities, please visit CDC’s Employment web page.
Respiratory News and Resources
Since 2006, respiratory diseases have been part of CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD). As a result, readers of this e-letter can periodically expect to see news about respiratory diseases.
Meningitis Video: CDC is now featuring a new video to educate parents about meningitis. The video uses a real-life mother and daughter team to showcase the all-too-real experience of when meningococcal illness frightens a community. Using a mix of humor and concrete advice from a CDC pediatric expert, this video will strike a chord with parents everywhere, encouraging pre-teen vaccination and a well-child visit for the often over-looked school-age child.
World Pneumonia Day: Mark your calendars for “World Pneumonia Day”, November 2, 2009. This event—led by child health groups and Save the Children Artist Ambassadors Gwyneth Paltrow and Hugh Laurie—will bring needed attention to a neglected disease that kills more than two million children under the age of five each year, worldwide. For more information or to sign up to receive e-mail updates, visit the World Pneumonia Day website.
Get Smart about Antibiotics Week: Mark your calendars for “Get Smart about Antibiotics Week," October 5–11, 2009. For more information, please contact Darcia Johnson at clq7@cdc.gov or visit the "Get Smart" website.
The Immunization Works Database Manager can be contacted at nipimmzwrks@cdc.gov.
Return to Immunization Works! index page
This symbol means you are leaving the CDC.gov Web site. For more information, please see CDC's Exit Notification and Disclaimer policy.
File Formats: All viewers, players, and plug-ins used on this site can be downloaded from the file formats page. (For example: Adobe Acrobat Reader for pdf files, Windows Media Player for audio and video files, PowerPoint Viewer for presentation slides, etc.)
Content last reviewed on August 28, 2009
Content Source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
